Intercultural Learning Critical preparation Module 1 Culture

MODULE I MODULE A I Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice . A TERMS RESOURCES I MODULE Culture Learning goal To develop a critical awareness of the , nuanced nature of culture , and cultural difference . I ' Click hereto watch the video ' Culture

MODULE ! MODULE Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice A I TERMS RESOURCES Click on the dots beneath the surface of the water to discover the invisible aspects of culture . UNDERSTANDING CULTURE . CULTURAL DIFFERENCE The ability to recognise and understand your own cultural context is seen as an essential prerequisite for understanding and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds . Let begin by grappling with the idea of culture itself . This module examines the highly nuanced , and dynamic nature of the concept of culture . The concept of culture is , as it can mean different things to different people and in different . Part of the difficulty in arriving at a comprehensive definition stems from the fact that when talking about culture we are usually referring to a rather limited visible dimension ( such as language , works of art , dress , etc . and not necessarily considering the rather large invisible area of concepts and ideas ( such as values , attitudes , and ) An iceberg is often used as a metaphor for culture on the surface we are able to see the more obvious aspects of culture , however , there are many aspects that lie deeper and require time and critical thinking to comprehend . Click here to watch the video ' What is culture ?

MODULE I WELCOME MODULE Culture Common misconceptions of culture can be created by using that limit understandings of culture to discrete and readily categories Consider these three different ways of culture the eight major factors which set groups apart from one another , and which give individuals and groups elements of identity age , class , race , ethnicity , levels of ability , language , spiritual belief systems , educational achievement , and gender differences an abstract concept that refers to learned and shared patterns of perceiving and adapting to the world . Culture is reflected in its products the learned , shared beliefs , values , attitudes , and behaviours that are characteristic of a society or population . Culture is not a static phenomenon it is dynamic and , but it maintains a sense of Culture in its widest sense can be understood as a specific way of thinking , acting and feeling about one own actions and the actions of others . This includes conscious or underlying explanations of the world and one own and other people place within it . It also encompasses beliefs , faiths , ideologies and , which we call upon to assert reality , truths , values and ideas of good and bad . Culture as a group phenomenon develops further and changes according to changes in society . Culture as the property of an individual is open to further development depending on knowledge and experience ?

Imperialism Cultural Diversity MODULE LEARNING Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice Racism Privilege what do you notice about these three of culture ?

which align with your ideas of culture ?

Has your idea of culture shifted ?

If so , in what way ?

what are the differences and similarities in the ?

which capture the visible aspects of culture and which capture the invisible ?

Key point Avoid falling into a very limited and narrow understanding of what we mean when we talk about culture . Dynamic and fluid approaches to culture have a much better chance of capturing a sense of the complex , changing and nature of this concept . These highlight differences between narrow and broad of culture . The captures the factors that most people probably recognise and take into consideration when thinking about culture . By contrast , the second suggests a more expansive and inclusive view of culture . Similarly , the emphasises existence as a variable and construct , both on a group and individual level . Culture is relational and fluid , providing frames of reference for negotiating the world . Culture is systemic , occurring within , between , and across individuals , families , communities , and regions . In the last two , culture is understood as dynamic and relational , mull , and expansive . The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organisation ( stresses ( as is one organisation ) the importance of understanding cultures not as or static entities rather Each individual carries culture culture is not simply a construct applied to others apart from us . Culture embodies heterogeneity , carries temporal qualities , and can not be Cultures are like clouds , their confines ever changing , coming together or moving apart and sometimes merging to produce new forms arising from those that preceded them , yet differing from them entirely Culture is the very substratum of all human activities , which derive their meaning and value from

WELCOME MOD . I Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity For an inspired and impassioned insight into some of the exquisite manifestations of these elements of culture , watch this short video by Canadian anthropologist , wade Davis . Click here to watch Wade Davis video The Worldwide Web of Belief and Ritual While we have now developed some understanding of culture and cultural difference , we need to be aware of the limitations to fully understand other cultures . We need to recognise the plurality of cultures and be aware of any tendencies towards essentialism , or that reduce complex and dynamic cultures to some key definitive factors Essentialism of culture the internal differences within that culture . The challenge is to recognise and embrace diversity through respect and inclusion rather than a process of exclusion Given culture is dynamic , complex and prone to , the notion of intercultural competence is critiqued by a number of authors . Competence refers to the ability to do something successful or efficiently . The focus remains on what people do rather than on the knowledge they have ?

Practitioners should question the idea of the cultural expert and challenge , outsider , or approaches to understanding culture . Alternatively , an approach , or from within , entails collaborative processes where outsiders and insiders are changed by cultural interactions . This requires developing greater awareness of self , sharing knowledge , creating partnerships and acknowledging issues of power , racism and the dynamic nature of culture . In other words , when we begin to recognise the complexity of culture , it becomes apparent that ways of thinking about culture which tend to oversimplify , reduce and cultures are inadequate . If we are interested in understanding our own culture , and in learning about the cultures of other people , an approach that recognises and values this complexity is a valuable starting point . Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice I lo . en Of pow i MODULE MODULE ?

Insider Perspective HI ( Click here to watch the video What are and approaches ?

WELCOME MODULE I MODULE Culture REFLECTION TASK Option I In light of the module discussion regarding the complex , and nuanced nature of culture , Narayan raises some concerns about the notion of cultural competence . Watch this short video and consider whether you agree or disagree with the idea of becoming culturally competent . Click here to watch the video What is cultural competence ?

Discuss your insights and ideas with your lecturer , fellow students , family or friends . Option In light of the previous discussion regarding the complex , and nuanced nature of culture , and in consideration of Wade Davis discussion on the exquisite variations between cultures , reflect on your own culture by answering the following questions What is your culture ?

What are the most important features of your culture ?

How have your values been moulded and shaped by your culture ?

Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege How would you describe the source of your values are they religious values , social values , personal values , professional values ?

Can you see a connection between these values and the institutions that have moulded and shaped who you are your family , your religion , your school , your peers , and so on ?

Do you have friends from different cultures ?

What are their cultures and how are they different from yours ?

Is your culture determined by your family origin or is it grounded in where you were born ?

OR How would you describe yourself as a cultural being ?

How is reality understood in your particular culture ?

Is it viewed as dualistic or holistic ?

What is the concept of self in your particular culture ?

Is it viewed as a separate or interconnected part of the natural , world ?

What are some of the key historical events that have shaped your cultural concept of self or in other words , your cultural being ?

What is the concept of time ?

Is it viewed as linear , circular , segmented , or ?

What is the concept of relationships , including the differences in gender roles ?

How is morality understood in your culture ?

How is this understanding of morality evidenced in your actions ?

Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice MODULE LEARNING TERMS Are there any insights from your reflections that surprise you ?

Discuss this with your lecturer , fellow students , family or friends . Further your engagement with the topic of culture and cultural difference by referring to the Learning Resources . Click here to go to the Learning Resources page .